‘I cannot believe I am here’

For Romani Gaballa, the lure to starting his own travel company was simple. The founder of Giza-based Egyptian Educational Travel wanted to blend his fascination for history—he does, after all, have a degree in Egyptology—with showing off the country’s legendary sites to travelers.

“I feel really touched when I see a guest in my group gazing at the Pyramids and Sphinx saying, through tears, ‘I cannot believe I am here. This was my dream since I was a child,’ ” says Gaballa. “This typifies what Egypt means for so many people and makes it the top of everyone’s travel list.”

While nearly all of EET’s itineraries include the iconic—the Pyramids, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Nile River—the company’s offerings go beyond those A-list sites. Diverse themed tours range from architectural highlights and faith-based packages to agricultural programs and beach vacations.

True to his training as an Egyptologist, Gaballa is most passionate about the architectural tours.

“Egypt is the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of architecture as well as of Imhotep, who is the father of all architects,” he says. “His revolutionary ideas sparked the building of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, as well as the magnificent temples along the Nile Valley.”

He says these programs also include tours of fourth-century churches and cultural visits to Nubian villages and homes. “Plus, we go to monasteries where the Holy Family hid during their flight into Egypt. Our groups also can meet with people of various faiths and hear lectures from experts on many topics based on their interests.”

And, for those seeking a relaxing complement to all the historical sites, EET has a number of coastal and beach offerings.

“They can enjoy diving, snorkeling or even just sitting on the beach or taking a sea trip on a yacht,” he adds.